1 Pacific symbols and the stories they share Pre-visit lesson 3 for Te Tuhi LEOTC programme Stories from the Pacific.
2 By completing this learning sheet we will: learn about Pacific symbols that are drawn and painted on Pacific tapa cloth, namely Ngatu and Siapo. learn the meaning and story behind these symbols. study each symbol by looking carefully at the shapes, lines, colour and patterns created. continue to learn about these symbols by drawing the symbols ourselves. be inspired by these symbols and their meanings to design our own symbols based on our personal story.
3 Symbols in Ngatu: Design in Tongan tapa cloth
4 Fata 'o Tu'i Tonga Fata o Tu I Tonga is a symbol that comes from Tonga and is seen in many ngatu (Tongan tapa cloth). The symbol refers to the house of the king, in particular, the central beam of the house. The symbol reflects the sennit bindings that hold and support the central beam, which supports the thatched roof. particular where the lines meet and where parts of it are coloured. create the Fata 'o Tu'i Tonga symbol.
5 Manulua Manulua is the name for one of the oldest design patterns found in the making of traditional Tongan bark cloth. Translated directly, Manulua refers to two birds or two pairs of bird wings. The deeper meaning of this pattern is to bring two groups or families together to form a new union. particular the triangle shapes created and where parts of it are coloured. create the Manulua symbol.
6 Leva Leva is a simple design which features in many different Ngatu and illustrates the shape and arrangement of Leva berries. The design of the Leva varies sometimes including between single dots and clusters of three to five berries with leaves surrounding. particular how the symbol is arranged and how far apart each dot is from one another. create the Leva symbol.
7 Hala Paini Hala Paini is the motif representing the Norfolk Pines that line the street to the Royal Palace of Tonga. Norfolk Pines originate from Norfolk Island which is located in between Australia, New Caledonia and New Zealand. The design of Hala Paini reflects the shape of the pointy tree with its branches spread out on an angle. Triangular shapes help show the earth below the trees while a moon, a sun and star help show the sky. particular how the symbol is arranged used to create the symbol. create the Hala Paini symbol.
8 Ikale Tahi Ikale Tahi translated sea eagle is a symbol that shows a sea eagle in flight. The symbol can help reflect Tonga as a country but also through varied designs can reflect individual villages. Ikale Tahi is also a symbol and nickname for the national rugby team of Tonga. The design of Ikale Tahi focuses on the shape and body of the eagle while flying. We see lines, shapes and patterns that show the feathers, feet and eyes of the eagle. particular the position of the eagle, the shapes and lines drawn to show specific details of the eagle and the parts coloured. Now complete the drawing in the box above to create the Ikale Tahi symbol.
9 Fetu ufuka Fetu ufuka is one of varied designs reflecting a comet travelling in outer space. Many symbols in Ngatu are records in Tonga s history, this one included, in particular when Halley s comet made an appearance in 1910. Halley s comet reappears every 70-80 years. This design of Fetu ufuka shows the comet in the center and in a circular shape. The six points reflect the vapour trail all comets or meteors leave as they travel. particular where the lines connect, which parts are coloured and the shapes inside and around the comet. create the Fetu ufuka symbol.
10 Symbols in Siapo: Design in Samoan tapa cloth
11 Fa a aveau The Fa a aveau is a symbol from Samoa that can be found on many Siapo designs. The design easily reflects the shape of a starfish with its multiple points. Because of the simplicity and shape of this symbol it is often mistaken for a sun. particular where the points end and which way each point is rotating. create the Fa a aveau symbol.
12 Fa a ali ao Fa a ali ao is a tapa pattern found on many siapo designs. The symbol reflects the Trochus found on the beaches of Samoa. The shell is triangular in shape and can be arranged different to create new shapes such as a diamond. particular where the points meet and what shapes have been created. create the Fa a ali ao symbol.
13 Tusili i The small lines represent the midrib of the coconut leaf. The wavey lines symbolize the hand woven sennit (braided coconut fiber). We can see the hand woven sennit helps keep large pieces of wood together. This can be seen in many smal and large fale (house) or va a (boat/canoe). particular where the points end and which way each point is rotating. create the Tusili i symbol.
14 Fa a lau paogo Paogo is Samoan for a particular type of pandanus tree, however, is also used to describe the pandanus tree in general. In the Fa a lau paogo symbol we can see the design is inspired by the blooming sharp shape of the Pandanus leaf. particular what shapes have been created and which parts a coloured. create the Fa a lau paogo symbol.
15 Fa a tuli There are many tapa designs inspired by birds including Fa a tuli or the Sandpiper bird seen on siapo. Symbols such as Fa a tuli are sometimes inspired by the shape of bird s feathers, the footprints they leave in sand or the v shape they make when in flight. particular the shapes created, the parts that are coloured and parts that have lines. create the Fa a tuli symbol.
16 Fa a atualoa The Fa a atualoa symbol reflects the centipede, an insect found in Samoa. This symbol appears on earlier works of Siapo and had also been seldom used over time but is now being reintroduced. The Fa a atualoa symbol is another simple design and captures the basic form of the centipede. We can see the body and legs of the centipede have been across the square. Beside the centipede could be leaves showing the centipede crawling along the ground. particular where the centipede is drawn, the shape of the centipede and the parts coloured and patterned. create the Fa a atualoa symbol.
Now that we have studied these symbols carefully, let s pick three Ngatu and Siapo symbols we like the most. In the bubbles below write about why you like them. Once we have finished draw a line tying the bubble to symbol you like. 17
18 Image source: Pg 1, 2, 3, 10 Neich, Roger and Pendergrast, Mick. Pacific Tapa. Auckland NZ: David Bateman Ltd, 1997. Pg 4, 13 http://www.pinterest.com/pin/503347695823686263/ Pg 5 http://commons.wikimedia.org/ wik i/file:damier_du_cap_- _Cape_Petrel.jpg Pg 6 http://www.srpf.org/content/flowers.php Pg 7 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/mala'ekula Pg 8 http://www.smscs.com/photo/eagle_desktop_wallpaper/26.html Pg 11 http://www.pacificcreststock.com/ blog/cape-k iwanda-and-pacificcity-oregon-the-perfect-beach-vacation Pg 12 http://www.mesa.edu.au/aquaculture/aquaculture39.asp. Pg14 http://www.flickr.com/photos/87453322@n00/4273265015/ Pg 15 http://www.bio-diversity-nevis.org/shore_birds.htm Pg 16 http://www.flickr.com/photos/seereeves/2198184144/ Pg 9 http://www.space.com/19878-halleys-comet.html
19 Te Tuhi Centre for the Arts Learning Experiences Outside the Classroom Program 13 Reeves Road, Pakuranga, Auckland 2010 Education Officer: Jeremy Leatinu u Phone: (09) 577 0138 ext 7703 Fax: (09) 577 0139 Email: Jeremy@tetuhi.org.nz www.tetuhi.org.nz